Have You got The Perfect Bike?

[chickenstrip]

So how many of you truly believe you have the bike you really want? By that I mean, there's nothing out there you'd change it for, given you can only have the one?

I think that's actually where I'm at with my 4th Fazer FZS1000. I've thought about it off and on for the whole year of ownership of this particular one, and still there is nothing I'd rather have as an only bike.

I did do some mods to this one, and there are one or two other things I'd like to do to it given the spare cash, but still I don't want anything in it's place.

There's absolutely no doubt that there are many other bikes I would like to try, and as I will be settling the outstanding balance on the loan for this one next week, I'll be saving for a second bike, which I guess I'd then be happy to chop and change as something else takes my fancy. But not this one.

When I was younger, I used to trade bikes in fairly regularly, and sometimes ended up with things that just didn't suit what I used a bike for, but it didn't really bother me, as I just thought I could always trade again for something more right. But then, I'd trade a bike that was eminently suitable to my requirements for some looney tunes stroker or some such - point is, I really wasn't that bothered, but now....well, now, you'd have to prise my Fazer from my cold, dead fingers to get me to part with it. In fact, after losing the last three of em, for whatever reasons, I had no hesitation in simply replacing them with the same model as soon as circumstances allowed.

So who is entirely happy with the bike they now own (Kickstart need not apply - you just own everything! ).

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Mine's close, but not perfect. I want better range (so a larger tank or better MPG - ideally both) and the foot position bringing back so I can take some weight on my legs in potholesville.

Essentially, I think I want my Enfield back
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[RhynoCZ]

Not yet, although the ZXR is nice, I must say.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Skudd]

Mine is close too. Just want the Varadero a bit taller and bigger, slightly bigger tank and a bit more off road ability. More an Africa Twin/Varadero cross with a hint of KTM and BMW thrown in for good measure. There is nothing out there at the moment that I would swap for.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Marmalade]

The pan euro is about as close as you'll get to being perfect to me.

Better range would be helpful but 300 miles is better than most, a bit more poke would be nice but it's no sports bike and still a lot of bike to stop.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[-Monty-]

Nope, not at the moment. The CB5 is way too slow and has absolutely no weather protection. Up to 200 miles to a tank is nice, but I would prefer 300

Saying that, it's still a pretty good bike, reliable, good MPG and fairly comfortable to ride.
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Present: [Kawasaki ZX7r][Suzuki DRZ 400s]
Past: [Honda PCX 125] [Yamaha RXS 100] [Honda CB 500] [Triumph Speed Four] [Honda ST1100 Pan European - Po-Po Edition]

[Dalemac]

There is no such thing as a perfect bike.

There are always downsides to something.

For a example, a bike that is perfect on track is not going to be a perfect tourer. A bike that is perfect at touring is going to be pants on a track.

To get perfection in all scenarios, you need a garage full of bikes, each perfect at their own thing.

Some bikes can and are used for more than one purpose, but they are always a compromise. My Falco for example, will do touring without fuss and will do a track-day without fuss, but it isn't perfect at either.
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000

[smithyithy]

Actually, yeah..

The Daytona 675 is easily my favourite 600-class bike, and the 2012 'R is my favourite version of it

I mean I'd swap it for something ridiculous like a BMW HP4 or a Panigale R, but realistically those bikes are always gonna be too good for me..

More than happy with my little British triple

I'm modifying it bit by bit, but that's just I have that bug and I like customising cars and bikes.. by all means I could've left it stock..... minus an exhaust

[johnnyarctic]

pretty happy with the VFR750 to be honest. its all i need - but i do want to try other bikes. some kind of sportsbike
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Current Ride: VFR750

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Itchy]

CBR6 last of the carb'd ones. I had it until quite recently.

Its fast,

OK on fuel

Handles well

brakes well

Crashes well

OK on maintenance costs.

It was also my lucky bike and I managed to pull off multiple magic tricks on it.

I'm wishing I'd just repaired the damned thing instead of selling it tbh.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[smithyithy]

[Dalemac]

[chickenstrip]

[chickenstrip]

[reed]

For me, I feel my Hornet is near to perfect. I didn't go out looking for one when I bought it two years ago, it just came up. It looked nice so I had a bid and won it for a decent price on eBay, in the 2 years I've had it it has never gone wrong, other than a faulty rectifier which took about 10 minutes to change.

I've put 12,000 miles on it in the 2 years I've had it, and done 3 track sessions at lydden hill, in which I felt it did relatively well. Although I've never done a trackday on anything else to compare.

It's the first bike I got my knee down on, and the first bike I have learnt to do decentish wheelies on, also the first bike I've had that is reliable and worth looking after in my eyes.

I do keep considering selling it for a GSXR/ZX6/CBR etc. But I know I'll miss it, plus I've just bought a Hagon shock for it, so it can only get better.
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Generic XOR 50, Gilera SMT 50, GSXR 400 GK73A, Ducati Monster 600, Honda Hornet 600.
Sold. Stolen. Written off. Sold. Current.

[bikertomm]

Need to try sooo many bikes before I can even comment!
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[WD Forte]

No
I don't believe in 'perfect' bikes but I'm fairly happy with what I have
Nowadays I just have the one bike
A 1979 Cx500 based bike built from spare parts and odds an ends from other bikes.
It was going to be a rat bike but my constant tinkering makes
it look more respectable than it is, I call it tart bike.

Fast?
Hell yeah if you compare it to say a CG125
It'll easily stay at the 70-80 all day long though

Sexy ?
Dont make me larf

Reliable?
Yep go anywhere sorta bike but that's cos I look after it and
know every nut,bolt, cable and gadget on the thing so anyone else with anything
else equally well maintained would probably say the same.

MPG
I always want better mpg but it will sometimes give 55 on a run
If I dont cane it too hard

Faults/imperfections
Plenty of imperfections.
Worst is probably the valve stem oil seals gone brittle which cause
a puff on start up and some excess oil consumption
but I dont want to whip the heads off just now, so live with it.

Its comfy, easy to fling about in city traffic
scruffy enough not to worry over scratches, stains and stuff
Non standard, slightly ratty so no pressure to keep original
I never liked the standard CX for looks anyway

Most importantly I still enjoy riding it
and that's the thing IMO
If youre having fun on what ever it is you ride, its a good bike.

[Dalemac]

[arry]

Nope. Nowhere near it.

Firstly, the Sprint is a bit too heavy really. That bothers me.

Secondly, I bought it as a bit of a do it all bike. But now I'm looking to do a tour some things have come to light which kind of pee me off; it's just how completely spastic my bike is as a sports tourer.

The panniers are really useful, if everything you want to take happens to be square and of a certain size. Can't get a tank bag without mega expense as it's a plastic tank and TBH the tank is so high that it'd just be in the way anyway. Can't get a standard tail pack as there's no bungie strap mount points etc. Can't strap around rear seat as under-slung exhaust would set fire to everything. So, my old CBR would have been more practical. Great.

[Itchy]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

[nowhere.elysium]

Very, very happy with the GS. Old enough to require regular spannering, fantastically smooth ride, rare enough to get the whole 'not seen one of those in a while' comments, and it's insanely comfortable.

Of course, being happy with one bike doesn't preclude you from getting another one alongside it, in my opinion.
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[m3-paul]

I think my 1997 fireblade is my perfect bike.

I love the looks, I am very much stuck in the 90s when it comes to bike design . It can have superb economy if needed, is comfy enough for huge distances in one day at high speed if needed but can tear it up on the country lanes. Also has incredible build quality.

Genuinely can't see me selling it.
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Yamaha TZR250 - love the smell of TTS!!!!
CBR900RR Fireblade - so much fun

[Irn-Bru]

For my current needs and wants, yep.
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM